Thrill Seeker’s Guide to Queenstown

[Q]ueenstown is one of the best places in the world to visit if you feel the need for an adrenaline hit.

From bungy jumping and sky diving, to heliskiing and white water rafting, there is a bunch of cool extreme activities you can do from the base of Queenstown.

Bungy Jumping

It was in Queenstown, New Zealand that bungy jumping got its name and one of the most established operators in the area is AJ Hackett Bungy, who pioneered this adrenalin sport way back in 1988.

These days the company offers a range of intense experiences, such as the Nevis Bungy (New Zealand’s highest, reached from a 134m high cable car, costing $260 NZD, or $221 USD for adults); the Nevis Swing (120m rope length that can be swung in multiple directions, in a 300m arc, 160m above the river, costing $180 NZD, or $153 USD for adults); and the Ledge Bungy (a freestyle bungy jump that allows customers to twist, flip and dive, or even night jump in winter, costing $180 NZD, or $153 USD for adults).

With this heart-pumping action you’ll no doubt be very glad you have a change of clothes nearby afterwards!

Sky Diving

For adrenaline junkies who love to feel the wind on their face, sky diving in Queenstown could be the perfect choice.

NZONE Skydive was the first tandem skydive operation in New Zealand and has been offering dives since 1990, with over 200,000 passengers having jumped to date.

The country’s most experienced skydive operators will have you free-falling from 15,000 feet above the ground at 200km per hour in no time!

Launch yourself from a plane and soar over the Remarkable alpine ranges like an eagle for one of the most spectacular views you will ever experience.

Tandem skydives with this tour operator range from $299 NZD ($255 USD) for a 9,000 feet high jump and progress up to $439 NZD ($374 USD) for the ultimate 15,000 feet high jump.

White Water Rafting

You’ll be happy you have a set of warm clothes handy in your campervan after you take on the Shotover River rapids during Queenstown Rafting’s half day tour.

The action-packed excursion begins with a drive up twisting Skippers Canyon, before a safety brief with your river guide and then on to a rafting journey through the spectacular river.

The trip includes rapids such as the aptly named After Shock, Sharks Fin, Toilet, Pinball and Jaws; a paddle through the 170m long Oxenbridge Tunnel; and then ends with the final Cascade Rapid to ensure your heart is racing hard enough.

White-water rafting tours last approximately 4.5 hours and cost around $199 NZD ($170 USD) per person.

Heliski

If winter temperatures and light powder are more what gets you out of the bed in the morning, then a heliski adventure with Alpine Heliski in Queenstown is sure to get your pulse racing.

The tour company provides visitors with day, multi-day or private charter heliskiing and boarding runs on untouched alpine terrain where you’ll have no difficulty calling “first tracks” each day!

Alpine Heliski offers adventures to suit all skill and experience levels and prices start from $825NZD per person for a day’s adventure that includes three separate runs.

If you’re on a budget but still want to experience all the adrenaline rushes possible in Queenstown, one of the easiest and most affordable ways to save some cash on accommodation is to opt for a Mighty Campervan hire.

A fantastic option for backpackers and friends travelling together, the campervans start from just $49 NZD ($42 USD) per day, come fully equipped and are ideal for small groups.

You can use the campervan as the perfect base for all your adventure activities and can even keep your skis, snowboards, spare clothes and a pocket flask on hand to make each day’s entertainment extra convenient and “choice, bro.”

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